Recent reports indicate that Qualcomm is in discussions with Samsung regarding a potential collaboration for the production of its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips. This development comes as Qualcomm prepares to unveil both the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro later this month.
Qualcomm's Production Strategy
Initially, Qualcomm had planned to rely solely on TSMC for the manufacturing of these flagship chips. However, new rumors suggest that the company is now considering a dual-sourcing strategy that includes Samsung alongside TSMC. This shift is likely driven by improvements in Samsung's production yields, which, while still behind TSMC's, have shown significant progress.
Samsung's Yield Improvements
Reports indicate that Samsung has achieved a production yield of approximately 55% for its 2nm process technology. In comparison, TSMC is operating with yields in the range of 60% to 70%. Despite Samsung's advancements, Qualcomm has set a minimum yield requirement of 70% for large-scale manufacturing, which raises questions about the feasibility of Samsung's participation.
Concerns Over TSMC's Capacity
One of the driving factors behind Qualcomm's outreach to Samsung may be concerns regarding TSMC's production capacity. TSMC plans to reach a production capacity of 60,000 wafers per month for its 2nm process by the end of the year. However, Apple has reportedly secured a substantial portion of this capacity for its own chips, potentially limiting the availability for Qualcomm's needs.
Future Collaboration Possibilities
As Qualcomm and Samsung continue their discussions, details regarding the specifics of the collaboration, such as pricing, specifications, and process optimization, remain unclear. It is also uncertain what portion of the overall Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 production would be handled by Samsung. Nevertheless, this potential partnership represents an intriguing development in the semiconductor landscape, particularly as Qualcomm seeks to ensure a steady supply of its next-generation chips.
Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/qualcomms_snapdragon_8_elite_gen_6_may_be_made_in_part_by_samsung-news-74609.php
